1781. G. Parker, View of Society, II., 154. Having discovered the
weak side of him he means to gag.
1823. Jon Bee, Dict. of the Turf, etc., s.v. A showman cries ‘Walk
in, ladies and gentlemen, they’re all alive,’ but the spectators
soon perceive ’tis all stuff, reproach Mr. Merryman, and he, in
excuse, swears he said ‘they were’ and not ‘are alive’ He thus gags
the public.
1876. Hindley, Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, p. 325. Then
they gag the thing up, and send their bills out about the immense
cost of scenery and dresses, and other expenses they are at, etc.
3. (thieves’).—To inform; to round on (q.v.); also to blow the gag.
Cf., Gaff, Gab, etc. For synonyms, see Peach.
1891. Morning Advertiser, 28 Mar. She ... besought them with
(crocodile) tears not to gag on them, in other words not to give
information to the police.
On the high gag. adv. phr. (old).—On the whisper; telling secrets; cf.,
verb, sense 3.
1823. Kent, The Modern Flash Dict., s.v.
1848. Duncombe, Sinks of London, etc., s.v.
On the low gag, adv. phr. (old).—On the last rungs of beggary,
ill-luck, or despair.
1823. Kent, The Modern Flash Dict., s.v.
1848. Duncombe, The Sinks of London, etc., s.v.
To strike the gag, verb. phr. (old).—To cease from chaffing.
1839. Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard (ed. 1889), p. 43. ‘A clever
device,’ replied Jonathan; ‘but it won’t serve your turn. Let us
pass, sir. Strike the gag, Blueskin.’
Gage (Gauge or Gag), subs. (old).—1. A quart pot (i.e., a measure).
Also a drink or go (q.v.).
1567. Harman, Caveat (1814), p. 65. A gage, a quart pot.
1610. Rowlands, Martin Mark-all, p. 38 (H. Club’s Rept., 1874).
Gage, a quart pot.
1622. J. Fletcher, Beggar’s Bush. I crown thy nab with a gage of
benbouse.
1656. Broome, Jovial Crew, Act ii., I bowse no lage, but a whole
gage Of this I bowse to you.
1690. B. E., New Dict. of the Cant. Crew. Gage, c. A pot or pipe.
Tip me a gage, c. give me a pot, or pipe.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th ed.), p. 12. Gage, a pot.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue. Gage, a quart pot, also a pint (cant).
1821. Haggart, Life, p. 40. We drank our gauge and parted good
friends.